FUNGI IN GENERAL 



In the Hypodermeae, which include the Ureclineae and the 

 Ustilagineae, and are consequently epiphytal, the mycelium is 

 never absent, although innate and concealed. 



The Ascomycetes, as well as the Sphaeropsideae, have possibly 

 a smaller development of mycelium than the other orders 

 enumerated, but it is seldom even apparently absent. In 

 the former the Perisporiaceae furnish many examples of an 

 abundant mycelium, which is superficial on living plants in 

 the Erysiphei, and consequently easily recognised by the 

 naked eye. From this cursory view it will be manifest that 

 the mycelium is an important, and often a very prominent, 

 attribute of Fungi. 



We have not alluded to some of the smaller groups, and 

 especially to those which are tentatively associated with Fungi, 

 such as the Saccharomycetes or yeast Fungi, the Schizomycctes or 

 Bacterial Fungi, and the Myxomycetes — which latter some 

 authors have struggled to link with the animal kingdom — but 

 to this we may return hereafter. Neither have we considered 

 it necessary to allude here to those compact bodies which are 

 morphologically dense nodules of mycelium, known as Sclerotia. 

 They are more or less associated with all the principal orders 

 in their ultimate fructification, and their evidence was not 

 essential to strengthen the case. 



No dissertation is required in support of that portion of 

 the general definition which characterises Fungi as " destitute 

 of chlorophyll." In a few instances a green colouring is 

 present, but it is not due to chlorophyll, nor is it of the colour 

 of chlorophyll-green, but of a verdigris or aeruginous tint. 

 When it is contended that chlorophyll is ever present, and 

 instances are furnished, it will be time enough to contest this 

 point ; meanwhile nothing will be gained by attempting to 

 prove a negation. 



The popular mind will perhaps seek to be satisfied with a 

 little more general information than is to be extracted from a 

 short definition, and to this end we may instance a few of the 

 typical forms which are assumed by Fungi, which probably are 

 the most variable in this particular of any of the Cryptogamia. 

 The most efficacious manner of doing this seems to be an 

 indication of the most salient features in the different primary 



